Southampton draw 1-1 at Watford

Andre Gray’s late equaliser denied Southampton all three points after Watford battled back to draw 1-1 at Vicarage Road in the Premier League.

Shane Long’s goal — the fastest in league history at seven seconds — appeared to be enough, but Gray thrashed home an effort from close-range on the stroke of full-time.

Long, who has seen a resurgence under Saints new boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, charged Craig Cathcart and blocked his attempted pass before racing in on goal and calmly flicking over the keeper in the unlikeliest of starts.

Southampton inched closer to top-flight safety with the draw, moving six points clear of relegation threatened Cardiff City with three games remaining, including one against Huddersfield Town.

Watford were quick to press Southampton for an immediate equaliser and Gray nearly erased the bizarre start, but Angus Gunn made a point-blank save before anxiously watching Deulofeu dragged a shot wide of the post.

Nathan Redmond came close to doubling Southampton’s advantage on 39 minutes, only to be denied by the slightest of touches from Ben Forster, who pushed the shot against the upright.

Deulofeu then fired across goal approaching half-time after a smart first touch opened up the chance for Watford.

Maya Yoshida prevented a dangerous duo of Deulofeu and Gray from linking up before Gunn made a terrific save to maintain Southampton’s lead nearing full-time.

But Gray took advantage of a fortuitous bounce, as the ball dropped into his path and he hammered past Gunn to draw Watford level.

Watford: Foster, Masina, Cathcart (Kiko 46), Kabasele, Janmaat, Capoue, Doucoure, Pereyra, Hughes (Success 77), Gray, Deulofeu.

Unused subs: Gomes (GK), Mariappa, Britos, Chalobah, Sema.

Goals: Gray (90).

Bookings: Capoue (26), Doucoure (40), Deulofeu 57), Kabasele (75), Masina (80).

Southampton: Gunn, Bertrand, Stephens, Yoshida, Bednarek, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Romeu (Lemina 74), Armstrong (Sims 67), Redmond, Long (Valery 78)

Unused subs: Forster (GK), Ramsay, Lemina, Austin, Ings.

Goals: Long (1).

Bookings: Romeu (17), Bednarek (45+2).